Baal came from Nimrod’s father who was called Cush, who was called Bel who was called Hermes the interpreter or the prophet. Then he now interprets the Word of God and then he brought forth Nimrod who has many names, Hercules, Adonis, Baal, Tammuz, Dagon the fish god of the Philistines, Molech...
So we're looking here now that this that happened in Genesis chapter 10 and 11 is the seed chapter for all idolatry.
In other words there’s nothing new under the sun, he just took different names in different countries with different languages but he was the same.
Out of Nimrod comes the worship of the sun, sun worship. And out of his mother comes the moon worship Semiramis who is called Ashtoreth, Ishtar, Isis, Rhea, in the Indian she is called Lakshmi, but it’s the self-same. Regardless what religion you take she ends up being the moon goddess.
Now the sun god, that’s the emblem for the heavens but in creation the sun god was the bull and the moon was the cow.
The bull or the worship of the golden calf. You can see how Israel came out of Egypt and they went right back to the golden calf, even though they were right under a prophet who disappeared just for a short period of time.
When Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, died, Semiramis told the people that her husband's spirit had taken possession of the sun. She encouraged the people to pay homage to her husband by worshipping the sun. Thus began the evil practice of sun worship. Later on when Semiramis gave birth to a son by the name of Tammuz, she hid her licentious form of living by lying to the people. She told them that she was miraculously overshadowed by the spirit of her dead husband, Nimrod, and it was in this way she was able to bring forth this so-called "son of god."
Semiramis also declared that her son, Tammuz, was in actuality the return or rebirth of her husband, Nimrod. Hence through this teaching the doctrine of reincarnation was born. And since Tammuz was born on December 25, this day was highly honored and recognized by Nimrod's supporters. Note, therefore, that this date (December 25) was observed in honor of the birth of Tammuz long before Christianity existed, and that it was not until many centuries later this pagan custom was "Christianized" as being the birthday of Christ (or Christmas day).
The similarity between some of the ancient pagan beliefs and the truth is notable. Those who existed after the Flood knew the true prophecies of God very well because the Creator had made His plans known unto all the descendants of Adam and Eve. Therefore, it was not difficult for Satan to counterfeit the truth with erroneous applications. The notable writer Alexander Hislop tells us:
"If there was one who was more deeply concerned in the tragic death of Nimrod than another, it was his wife Semiramis, who, from an originally humble position, had been raised to share with him the throne of Babylon. . . In life her husband had been honored as a hero; in death she will have him worshipped as a god, yea, as the woman's promised seed, 'Zero-ashta,' who was destined to bruise the serpent's head, and who, in doing so, was to have his own heel bruised." The Two Babylons, p. 58-59.
Of course, because of the deifying of her husband, it was not long before Nimrod's followers began to also worship Semiramis. And her son Tammuz (Zero-ashta) was worshipped as well. More and more Semiramis was revered by the people and was viewed by many as a priestess and goddess. Later on she also became known as "the queen of heaven." Thus began the awful practice of exalting human deities. These false beliefs have led up to the many different forms of idolatry that are still practiced by different people today. Yes, it was through the introduction of these satanic evils and the many sacrilegious practices of ancient Babylon that witchcraft, priestcraft, spiritualism, and other forms of paganism were born. Says the well-known author Ellen G. White:
"The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern spiritualism." The Great Controversy, p. 551.
The worship of Nimrod became widespread when the builders of the tower of Babel were scattered throughout the earth. Along with them, the people carried all the satanic beliefs and practices that were introduced to them while dwelling on the plains of Shinar. With time, these views were remodeled to suit the different civilizations that peopled the earth; nevertheless, they all basically stemmed from the religious views started on the plains of Shinar. Thus we read:
"The Chaldean Mysteries can be traced up to the days of Semiramis, who lived only a few centuries after the flood, and who is known to have impressed upon them the image of her own depraved and polluted mind." The Two Babylons, p. 5.
In Egypt, although there were many gods, the three main deities were Osiris, Isis, and Horus. These were simply substitute names for Nimrod, Semiramis, and Tammuz. In Rome they were known as Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter. While in Greece they were known as Kronos, Rhea, and Zeus. In other lands, such as in India and China, they were also known and worshipped under different names. Thus we see that following the fall of the tower of Babel the religion of Babylon continued to live on under many different disguises.
In many places, these original Babylonish practices were reintroduced and preserved through the historical records, myths, and religious teachings or customs of the people. So much so that even the first day of the week, Sunday, continued to be recognized as the day of the sun. Hence, in Rome, when Emperor Constantine issued his famous Sunday law of March 7, 321 A.D., he clearly and distinctly referred to Sunday as "the venerable Day of the Sun."
Following the scattering of the builders of the tower of Babel, many people throughout the earth were worshippers of the sun. In Britain, a religious sect called the Druids were greatly feared by the people. They, too, were known to worship the sun. The Druid priests were also known to offer human sacrifices to their god and they performed many supernatural feats. They were known to worship in small woods or groups of trees called groves.
In ancient times the Druids celebrated a festival in honor of their sun god, which today we call Halloween. The night of October 31, was a special night for them. But their idea of "trick or treat," as well as the use of the "jack o' lantern," was definitely not the very same as it is now. Gruesome and satanic activities were involved in these observances in ancient times. Yet, we now see these things as innocent, even though in the past they were all associated with pagan and spiritualistic rituals. Certainly there is nothing Christian whatsoever about little children dressing up like witches and warlocks. God's command unto the faithful is:
"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." Deut. 18:10-13.
Sun worship became popular worldwide. Even among the children of Israel the sun god Baal was worshipped. Such a practice was condemned by Jehovah, and drastic consequences were outlined by Him to all offenders.
"Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. But go ye now unto My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of My people Israel. And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by My name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim." Jer. 7:8-15.
"He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed." Ex. 22:20.
In ancient Rome the god Saturn was worshipped, and along with this idolatry the winter solstice was highly regarded. A week long winter festival called Saturnalia was celebrated by them in honor of the re-appearance of the sun in the northern hemisphere. The final day of this festival, Brumalia, fell on December 25. This was regarded as the day of "the invincible sun." During these festivals there was much gaiety, feasting, and even the exchanging of gifts, very similar to the manner in which Christmas is celebrated today. Yet all of these customs existed many years before the birth of Jesus Christ, and as we can see they were all in honor of false gods.
Surely, the activities involved in these ancient Roman festivals give us a good example of what obviously predominated the celebration of Tammuz's birth anciently. Thus we see that the date, December 25, was celebrated anciently by the Romans and other pagans who knew nothing about Jesus Christ. To them this date had nothing whatsoever to do with the birth of Christ. December 25 was a day of pagan origin in honor of the sun god. (It is also interesting to note that the name Saturn, from which Saturnalia derives, was another name for Nimrod.)
The name Santa Claus is indispensably connected to Christmas, and especially with the practice of giving gifts on that day. Some believe that Santa Claus originated with a man known as St. Nicholas. He was a bishop in Asia Minor during the fourth century who did many charitable deeds in his time.
On the other hand, some are of the opinion that the name Santa Claus originated way back in the time of Nimrod. In some ancient drawings depicting this Babylonish ruler, he is shown wearing a long beard, carrying a spotted fawn or deer, and holding a fir tree in his hand (all symbols now employed in one way or another with Christmas and Santa Claus today).
Nevertheless, regardless of which origin of the name Santa Claus one chooses to believe, the concept of Santa Claus on a whole is totally fictitious. To tell children that Santa Claus is a man that lives in the north pole, rides a sled pulled by reindeer (one of which is called Rudolph who is known for his red nose), and that he, Santa, is responsible for bringing all the presents that are received on Christmas day, is totally untrue and should not be encouraged by true Christian parents.
All who desire to follow the example of our beloved Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will always seek to live and speak only the truth. They will also earnestly seek to uphold the following words in their own lives and in the lives of their children:
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24.
(It is interesting to note that when the letters of the name, Santa, are re-arranged, they spell the word--Satan. Surely this is not by chance!) 
As to the origin of the Christmas tree the Bible declares:
"Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Jer. 10:1-5.
Surely, none can deny that this decorated tree made mention of by Jeremiah the prophet answers to what is known today as the Christmas tree. Of course the trees of modern times are no longer decked only "with silver and with gold," but instead multicolored electric bulbs, tinsel, and various other objects. What we see today would certainly outdo the decorated trees of Jeremiah's day. Also, instead of the trees being fastened down "with 
nails and hammers," people now use many different kinds of sophisticated wooden stands, special pots, and metal holders. Nevertheless, despite these technological changes the very same custom is still being followed in modern times. Therefore, despite these modifications God's original position regarding the observance of this "apparently innocent" practice is still very clear: "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen . . . for the customs of the people are vain [of no value]" (Jer. 10:2-3).
In many ancient civilizations trees were worshipped as gods. Sometimes people even carved trees into strange looking images which they bowed down to and worshipped as their deities. But the question is appropriately asked, "To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?" Isa. 40:18. When these things are really considered, we can better understand why God prohibited His people from associating themselves with any practices that related whatsoever with pagan customs involving the use of trees, including decorating trees as it is still done today at Christmas time. Concerning the folly in using trees in this manner, the prophet Isaiah rightly declares:
"He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. . . . To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One." Isa. 40:20, 25.
All Bible students agree that Jesus (the source of light and truth) spent His whole life seeking to uphold truth, and truth alone. He Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6. Certainly, if it was the Saviour's will that His birthday be upheld by His followers from generation to generation, He would have indicated this somehow. However, He did not do so. In fact Jesus Christ never gave the slightest impression that He wanted His true followers to recognize and celebrate, as His birthday, a day that finds its basis and origin in the darkness and errors of paganism.
Actually, there is nowhere in the sacred scriptures that Christ declared or indicated to His followers that He wanted them to celebrate His birthday at all. The truth of the matter is, no one knows for certain the exact day of Christ's birth, and it is the belief of many true Bible-believing Christians that God deliberately left this date unknown to man for many, many reasons. One reason is that He knew it would be treated as a time for excessive feasting, frolicking, commercialism, and worldly display (things that Christ Himself shunned and taught His disciples to avoid). Over the years these very things have marked the celebration of Christmas, and we still see the very same kind of revelry today.
Contrary to the popular belief, Jesus Christ could not have been born during the winter season. The gospel-writer Luke wrote about events surrounding Christ's birth:
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8.
Many tourists who visit the Middle East during the winter months are usually unprepared for the cold weather they often encounter. Today, as in ancient times, Jerusalem is a cold place during the winter season. Hence Jeremiah the prophet speaks about "the snow of Lebanon" (Jer. 18:14), and Jesus warned His followers in Judea, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." Matt. 24:20.
Surely, Christ's birthday could not be on December 25 or on any day during the month of December whatsoever. One does not have to be a born genius to conclude that shepherds, in their right senses, would not be found outside with their flocks on a cold winter night. The truth of the matter is, it has long been a practice among the shepherds of Judea to secure their flocks by removing them from the fields no later than around the end of October.
Since the final harvest of the year took place in the fall, this would have been a most convenient time for the Jews to be able to pay their taxes. And the decree to pay taxes, would cause a great influx of travelers and visitors into Jerusalem, the holy city, and the surrounding towns, such as Bethlehem. This would even explain why it was that "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7) when Mary and Joseph sought a place to stay on that notable night of Christ's birth.
Just as it is illogical for shepherds to be watching their flocks out in the fields on a cold winter night, certainly it is illogical to conclude that Mary and Joseph and all the other travelers would have made their way to the city on a cold winter night. Many of the travelers may have had to journey from very long distances to get to the city, and it is unlikely that they would have done so in the cold of winter. It is also unlikely that the Roman ruler, who would have been more concerned about receiving the taxes, would have taken the risk of trying to get all the Jews to make their way to their "own city" (Luke 2:4) during the winter season.
Therefore, we can safely conclude that Mary and Joseph were not refused lodging at the inn on a cold night in the month of December, as some may want us to believe, but instead sometime during the autumn season when many were assembled in the city for the payment of taxes.
There was a very good reason that the Most High allowed Caesar Augustus to issue his taxation decree around the autumn, which was the very season God had ordained, many years in advance, that His people should gather their final harvest and come together for the final Feast of the year. Both of these occasions fell within the comfortable climate of the autumn season. Thus our heavenly Father made it possible for all of Israel to be present for the birth of our Lord, if they so desired. But sad to say, the majority were blind to the sacred event and glorious opportunity.
Certainly if Mary and Joseph had a choice as to when their child should be born, they would not have chosen December or any other month within the winter season. They would have settled for a more suitable time, especially if they had to travel. If man is wise enough to consider these matters in light of his own convenience and what would be best overall, then certainly the Great I Am definitely took all of these things into consideration centuries ahead of time.
The time of Jesus' birth can be greatly determined by the following events surrounding His life. Since it is widely known and accepted that our Saviour died in the spring during the time of the Passover (John 18:39), and since it is also known that He labored for three and a half years before He died, then it is clear that Jesus' baptism in the river of Jordan (three and a half years prior to His death) took place in the fall or autumn. The Bible also teaches that Christ's baptism and work began when He turned thirty years of age (Luke 3:23). Therefore, since Christ was baptized (in autumn) exactly thirty years after His birth, we can safely conclude that Christ was definitely born in the autumn and not in the winter.
(A careful examination of the experience of Mary's cousin Elizabeth, as well as the time her husband officiated as a priest in the Jewish temple, provide additional proof to the theory of Christ's autumn birth. Study Luke 1:5-38; 2 Chron. 23:8; 1 Chron. 24:10.)
Surely God took everything into consideration before sending His Son into the world. Our heavenly Father and all the inhabitants of heaven were, from the very beginning of time, looking forward to the appearance of the Son of God on earth as man's glorious deliverer and Messiah. Therefore, the most appropriate time and season was divinely appointed by our heavenly Father for such a momentous occasion involving the birth of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.It is therefore inconceivable that there were only three individuals in this caravan who visited Christ following His birth. Many adhere to this false belief simply because the Bible states that the gifts presented to Christ were "gold, and frankincense and myrrh" (Matt. 2:11).
Furthermore, if only three individuals had made the long journey to visit the King of kings, surely the appearance of three individuals in Jerusalem would not have been unusual enough to attract the attention of Herod, the king, as well as the inhabitants of Jerusalem. However, "he [Herod] was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matt. 2:3).
Normally the impression is given that both the shepherds and the wise men visited Jesus at the very same time (supposedly Christmas day). However, these wise men did not visit Jesus Christ on the very same day that the shepherds found Him in a stable "wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12). No, indeed, it was some time after this that the wise men visited the Son of God. Hence the reason that the Scriptures do not indicate in any way that the shepherds were present when the wise men found Him. Furthermore, the Scriptures declare that Jesus was not found by the magi in a stable, as is often intimated, but instead we are told that "when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother" (Matt. 2:11).
As you can see dear readers, many inconsistencies exist between the popular concepts of the birth of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the Truth. Yet, all of these inconsistencies seem to be upheld only in an effort to promote the pagan festival of Christmas day. How sad, how very sad this is indeed! Shouldn't God's true and faithful children just settle for the truth instead of tradition? And has not this always been God's holy will?
The word "Easter" in this text is specifically referring to the time of the Jewish Passover. This can be easily observed when viewed in its proper context. The previous verse states, "Then were the days of unleavened bread" (Acts 12:3). Careful biblical research will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is speaking about the time of the Passover. (See: Lev. 23:5-6; Ex. 12:11, 17-18; 23:15; 34:18.)Christ never told His disciples to observe His death or resurrection on any particular day. Instead, the holy Scriptures makes reference to how Christians are to observe the death and resurrection of Christ; and that is by showing everyone's need to go into the watery grave of baptism and resurrect into a new life, a sinless life, through the grace and power of Christ. (Read: Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:10-12.)
Furthermore, modern-day Easter falls right after the observance of the forty days of Lent. In ancient Babylon when Tammuz died, the followers of Semiramis joined her in mourning over the death of her son, Tammuz, for forty days. Thus the practice of mourning for the loss of this so-called "son of god" was adopted by many for centuries thereafter. This act was later "Christianized" under the name of Lent. But long before Christianity came into existence, even the children of Israel became victims of this pagan practice of mourning for Tammuz. Hence we read:
"Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz." Ezek. 8:14.
By following this pagan practice anciently, God's chosen people invoked the displeasure of the Almighty. Therefore, why should this practice be even considered by Christians today? And why should Lent be preceded by the revelry involved in Carnival, which is still observed in some cultures today? Can Christians afford to uphold practices other than that which the Bible condones, especially when they are so directly linked with things that God did not want His people to recognize in any way?
Some say that the name Easter comes from the name "Eostre" (the Saxon goddess), while others believe that it is derived from the name "Ishtar" or "Astarte" (the Assyrian counterpart for Semiramis). Nonetheless, it is quite evident that in both of these views the origin of the name Easter comes from a pagan deity that can easily be identifiable with the wife of Nimrod.
The p
ractice of using dyed eggs (Easter eggs) and buns (hot cross buns) during this festival was observed in certain pagan festivities of antiquity as well. In different ancient pagan rituals these items were offered up unto false gods. In China dyed or painted eggs are used during sacred festivals, and the Druids of Britain used an egg as the sacred emblem of their order.
As far as the buns are concerned, in ancient Greece on the festival of Astarte, buns were offered unto the queen of heaven. But the biblical record shows that Jehovah was sore displeased with His people, Israel, when they sought to follow this apparently innocent practice of the heathens in their day. In this regard we read:
"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger." Jer. 7:18.
None of these practices were endorsed by Jesus Christ, and were not therefore adopted by the early Christian church. But today many of these pagan practices have become so widespread that they are now accepted with open arms by many in the Christian faith. Yes, Easter has now been changed from the Passover celebration in the Bible usage of the word, and in its place the new application of the word Easter has given rise to a revival of many ancient pagan customs in a Christian setting.
In light of all that has been considered, it should be quite clear to the true children of God what their stand should be in the face of all the "Christianized" pagan customs and practices observed today. All should be able to answer such questions as, Why can't we celebrate the birth of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on December 25, or on any other day that is set aside to honor Him? How could it be wrong for me or my children to celebrate Halloween, Easter, or any other pagan custom, since today it may not be done for 
the very same reason that others celebrated it anciently? And why should anyone deprive themselves or their children from having "innocent" fun?
First of all, the origin and basic principle underlying all false worship needs to be understood. In order to identify this we need to remember the history surrounding Cain and Abel, the first two children of Adam and Eve.
When Cain and Abel were required to offer a sacrifice unto their Creator they were both fully aware of God's holy will. It was up to each of them to choose his own or God's will in this matter, and so they did. Concerning their eventual choices it is written:
"And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Gen. 4:4-5.
It is easy to understand why Christians consider Abel as being good and faithful, but Cain as being evil and unfaithful. Although both of these brothers offered up sacrifices unto God, only one was respected and accepted. Abel's offering was in harmony with God's will, but Cain's was not.
Cain's offering was really unto Satan and not unto God, for he knowingly offered up his sacrifice in direct opposition to God's will; and as a result, God could not accept Cain's offering. Thus Cain introduced false worship to the human race, but Nimrod's wife, Semiramis, introduced pagan customs and traditions, none of which could be accepted by God because they were all contrary to His will. In like manner today, those who do as Cain or Semiramis did are really presenting their offerings unto Satan instead of unto God. We are told:
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17.
"As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him." 1 Cor. 8:4-6.
Thus the worshipping of Nimrod, the leader of the rebellion in Babel, was in actuality the worshipping of Satan, the leader of the rebellion in heaven, for Satan was really the mastermind behind all these things. Satan not only inspired the minds of the Babylonians with all their false doctrines, but he also helped to promote their erroneous views by giving his satanic support to the magical feats and spiritualistic rituals of the priests and worshippers of the sun. This he still does in behalf of false teachers today through miracles and supernatural manifestations. We are therefore admonished: 
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:19-20.
Christ's prayer to His Father in behalf of His children is: "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." John 17:17.
God's true children cannot afford to follow after false teachings and practices, but instead only the principles and doctrines found in God's Word. Both in Christ's and the disciples days all were warned against following the customs and traditions of men, and today the true children of God are warned against this same danger in its present and varied forms.
"This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15:8-9.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8. (Read also: 1 Tim. 4:1, 7, 16.)
Yes, dear reader, we should realize that just as in the case of Cain and Abel, God will not honor or accept offerings that are contrary to His holy will (which is clearly outlined in His inspired Word). He is always seeking to promote truth instead of men's ideas, customs, or traditions. Thus, through the prophet Malachi He declares, "For I am the Lord, I change not." Mal. 3:6.
Therefore, even if men's offerings or forms of worship appear to be innocent or even if they provide great joy and pleasure to men, women, and children, it is God's will that His true followers always seek after truth, for it is onlytruth that sanctifies the soul. Error never sanctifies but instead defiles. Like the Psalmist David we too, therefore, must always be able to declare unto the Lord God:
"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." Ps. 138:2.
THE Christmas spirit is not Christian, because it did not originate with Christ. It predated the Christian era by many centuries. Shortly after the Flood the spirit and the whole celebration of Christmas had its beginning. It began with Nimrod, grandson of Ham the son of Noah, a wicked, ruthless dictator, responsible for the great organized worldly apostasy from God that continues to this day. In contempt for God and all decency Nimrod married his own mother, Semiramis. After his untimely death, his mother-wife, Semiramis, taught the lie that her husband-son was a spirit god. She claimed a full-grown evergreen tree sprang overnight from a dead tree stump, which symbolized the springing forth to new life of the dead Nimrod. She taught that on the anniversary of his birth, which was December 25, Nimrod would visit the evergreen tree and leave gifts upon it. The historian, Professor Hislop, says: “Now the Yule Log is the dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the sun-god, but cut down by his enemies; the Christmas-tree is Nimrod redivivus—the slain god come to life again.”—The Two Babylons,pages 97, 98.
This is the beginning of Christmas with its spirit. This is also the origin of the yule log, the Christmas tree, the celebrating of birthdays, the spirit of exchanging gifts, the spirit of feasting and merrymaking, visits and salutations, jocularity, revelry and drunkenness. All of this is an outgrowth of the first lie, nurtured by the spirit of Satan the Devil, who told it. In Eden to Eve he said: “You positively will not die. For God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad.” Like Eve, Semiramis believed Satan’s lie and proclaimed Nimrod as a spirit god. With this proclamation a wild celebration began on his birthday that has stuck down through the centuries to our day. In.the Western world it is called Christmas.—Gen. 3:4, 5, NW.
Nimrod became worshiped as the “divine son of heaven,” “the Messiah, son of Baal the sun-god.” Devil-worshiping pagans believed that life and immortality proceeded from Nimrod, and so they worshiped the never-dying sun in the heavens as the personification and representation of Nimrod’s “divinity.” Mother and child, Semiramis and Nimrod, became chief objects of worship. The pagan world idolized this combination. In Egypt they were worshiped as Isis and Osiris, in Asia as Cybele and Doius, in pagan Rome as Fortuna and Jupiter-puer. Even in China, Japan, Tibet and in other non-Christian lands is to be found the counterpart of the Madonna, held sacred in Christendom. Pagans adored these symbols long before the birth of Christ, yet Christendom hails these as Christian and adoringly speaks of them as “the beautiful spirit of Christmas.”
Jehovah God, on the other hand, commanded his people Israel: “Learn not the way of the heathen, . . . For the customs of the people are vain.” “You must not bow down to their gods or be induced to serve them, and you must not make anything like their works, but you will without fail throw them down and you will without fail break down their sacred pillars.” “You must not serve their gods, because that will be a snare to you.” Jehovah’s declaration against pagan gods has not changed, nor has his attitude toward pagan worship, because, says he: “For I, Jehovah, change not.”—Jer. 10:1-3; Ex. 23:24; Deut. 7:16, NW; Mal. 3:6, AS.
The Bible studiously avoids the recording of the date of anyone’s birthday, nor is there any record of birthday celebrations by Jehovah’s servants, either before or after Christ. The conspicuous silence of the Bible regarding birthdays is powerful testimony that the same were not kept, that they were frowned upon as pagan. Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 185-254) wisely discerned: “In the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday.” The only birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible are that of Pharaoh, when a man was hung, and that of the adulterous King Herod, whose step-daughter Salome danced to make the celebration “merry,” yes, merry by having the head of John the Baptist chopped off.
FROM PAGAN SATURNALIA TO “CHRISTIAN” CHRISTMAS
How, then, did these pagan customs become a part of the greatest “Christian” holiday, Christmas? That first-century Christians did not celebrate Christmas is borne out by early “Christian” writers. The Catholic Encyclopedia makes the following admission: “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church. Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their list of feasts.” When apostate Christians began to fall away to pagan practices, Tertullian complained: “By us, who are strangers to Sabbaths, and new moons and festivals, once acceptable to God, the Saturnalia [and other pagan feasts] are now frequented, gifts are carried to and fro, . . . and sports and banquets are celebrated with uproar.”—Gal. 4:10, 11; Col. 2:8.
In an effort to gain pagan converts the Roman Catholic clergy in the fourth century after Christ took in this pagan Saturnalia on December 25 and sponsored it as the “mass of Christ” or “Christ-mass.” Christmas, therefore, is nothing more than a carbon copy of the pagan Saturnalia. This is generally admitted by historical and religious scholars. Says a world history, On the Road to Civilization, page 164: “The feast of Saturn, the Saturnalia, was a winter festival which lasted a week beginning on the twenty-fifth day of December, and was celebrated with dancing, the exchanging of gifts, and the burning of candles. The Saturnalia was later taken over by the Christians as their Christmas, and given a new significance.”
Elaborating on the customs of the Saturnalia, the New Americanized Encyclopedia Britannica, 1900, Vol. IX, page 5236, says: “Saturnalia . . . celebrated on the 19th . . . lasted seven days. The time was one of general joy and mirth. The woolen fetters were taken from the feet of the Image of Saturn, and each man offered a pig. During the festival schools were closed. . . . Gambling with dice, at other times illegal, was practiced. All classes exchanged gifts, the commonest being tapers and clay dolls. These dolls were especially given to children. Varro thought that these dolls represented original sacrifices of human beings (children to the ‘Infernal God’).”—Jer. 32:34, 35.
Last December, “Rev.” A. E. Palmer of Holy Trinity Church was reported by the Examiner to have said: “‘Why choose December 25 as the date of the sacred festival? Wouldn’t any other public holiday do just as well for this jollification?’ There was no evidence, he said, that Jesus was born on December 25 but the Church took over a great many of the ancient pagan festivals and gave them Christian meaning. On December 25 was celebrated the return of the sun, with the days becoming longer, and the Church chose this as being symbolic of the light that shone through the darkness. Christmas without Christ, he said, was nothing but a pagan festival.”
James M. Gillis, C. S. P., editor of the Catholic World (December 2, 1945), makes this candid confession: “It is a well-known fact that the popes and councils in the early Church deliberately placed a Christian festival on or near the day of a previously existing pagan carnival, with the purpose of ousting the heathenish and generally licentious celebration.” Like Haman of old, the Catholic Church became ensnared with her own scheme.—Esther 7:10.
Behind its newly, loosely fitted “Christian” mask Christmas was and is nothing more than the ancient pagan Saturnalia. And it is the spirit of this pagan holiday that is hailed as “the beautiful spirit of Christmas.” What is so beautiful about a pagan holiday that dishonors God? What is so beautiful about a festival that is kept in defiance of God’s commands? What is so beautiful about a celebration that has perpetuated a lie? That makes hypocrites out of its participants? That has blinded men to truth and righteousness? What is beautiful about a “disgusting” thing?
IDENTIFYING THE “SPIRITS”
The spirit of God that produces fruits of “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control” is not identified in the Saturnalia borrowed from the pagans. As the well-known Biblical and historical authority, James Murdock, reports in a footnote in his translation of Mosheim’s Institutes of Ecclesiastical History: “From the first institution of this [Christmas] festival the Western nations seem to have transferred to it many of the follies and censurable practices which prevailed in the pagan festivals of the same season, such as adorning the churches fantastically, mingling puppet shows and dramas with worship, universal feasting and merry-making, visits and salutations, presents and jocularity, revelry and drunkenness.”—Gal. 5:22-25, NW.
Instead of converting pagans to “Christianity” the apostate Christians fell victim to their own passions and desires and were swept out to sea by pagan practices. This God foretold: “You must not serve their gods, because that will be a snare to you.”—Deut. 7:16, NW.
The campaign that is now being waged to “put Jesus Christ back in Christmas” is an open admission that Christ is not in its celebration. And, as “Rev.” Palmer stated, “Christmas without Christ is nothing but a pagan festival.” So it is. Christ was never in Christmas, nor was Christmas ever in Christ. More apropos and in line with Christian principle would be the slogan: “Away from Christmas and back to Christ.” Simply to label the pagan Saturnalia as Christian does not make it so. A wolf does not become a lamb simply because we call it such. No, nor does Christmas become Christian because professing Christians take part in its celebration. Its celebration by certain religious organizations does not make it Christian, any more than bingo games, lotteries or card parties in religious parish houses or parish schools are for that reason Christian.
Is the spirit of God to be found in the practice of exchange handed down by demon-worshiping pagans? Is the spirit of God found in the annual $50-million Christmas-tree business that commemorates the lie of human immortality? Is it found in the glittering balls of gold that pay homage to Balder, god of the ever-mystical sun? Is the spirit of God found in the millions of toy soldiers and tanks, guns and planes that glorify war and not “peace on earth, good will toward men”? Is it found in the gluttony, the drunkenness, lasciviousness and murder committed on this day called “Christmas”?
Hardly. “Do not be misled,” says the inspired Paul. “God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but he who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit.” The Christmas spirit is well described for us by apostles Paul and Peter at Galatians 5:19-21 and; 1 Peter 4:1-4. By these fruits we know her.—Gal. 6:7, 8, NW.
IDENTIFYING FRUITS OF “CHRISTMAS TREE”
The Christmas spirit is supposed to be one of good will toward men. After fifteen hundred years of Christmas celebrating, how much good will is there in the world today? How much good will is practiced during the holiday season itself? How Christlike are the people during this “most sacred festival”? Read and decide for yourself what spirit predominates.
According to a report by Gerhard J. Falf, University of Pennsylvania sociologist, “more murders are committed on Christmas day than on any other one day of the year.” Is this the Christian spirit? A chief detective of a department store declares: shoplifters and pickpockets “increase in numbers” when Christmas arrives. Is this spirit Christian? Last year, in Detroit, Michigan, Carl Ross tried to defend his truckload of trees from a crowd. An unidentified man “grabbed a stake from the truck and beat him unconscious with it. As he lay there while the crowd looted his trees, someone stole $400, his day’s receipts, from his pocket. His father finally got the truck in motion and fled for his life with about a third of his load.” Another man complained that a dealer had beaten him when he offered him fifty cents for his last tree. “An unusual number of persons reported that their front lawn evergreens had been cut down during the night,” the Detroit News announced. Is this the spirit of Christianity?
In the spirit of Christmas “a Santa Claus bandit who said ‘my kid is going to have a real Christmas,’ robbed a Brooklyn toy store of $900.” As “jolly good fellows” during this carnival of self-indulgence 1,200 drunks were gathered off the streets of Los Angeles alone. “I’ve never seen anything like it!” exclaimed a bewildered policeman. “They’re stacked up here like cordwood.” A tabloid headline noted breezily, “Los Angeles Staggering into Christmas.”
As Jesus accurately said: “This people honors me with their lips, yet their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep paying respect to me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.” This was true in Jesus’ day, and it is true regarding Christendom today. It is true regarding all her feasts and practices, Christmas not excluded.—Matt. 15:8, 9, NW.
ABOMINATION IN GOD’S SIGHT
The Christmas festival is held high among men of the world. But, as Jesus stated: “You are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but God knows your hearts; because what is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God’s sight.” While church bells ring out and men make a pretense at prayer on this day, yet God views their festivities as a disgusting pagan celebration. To Christians that fell away to similar practices Paul said: “You are scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that somehow I have toiled to no purpose respecting you.” From these things men were made free by Christ, but Christendom has returned to them. She has become as disgusting to God as a dog that “has turned back to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.”—Luke 16:15; Gal. 4:10, 11; 2 Pet. 2:22, NW.
What, then, is the spirit of Christmas? It is “earthly, animal, demonic.” It is the spirit of paganism parading in Christian garb. It is the spirit of the Devil that has intoxicated the whole world. The keeping of Christmas cannot pass as innocent fun for children, because the name and worship of God are involved. The festivities and decorations are demonic, because they glorify paganism, which is demonism. The associating of God’s name and Word with pagan customs is desecrating that name, taking it in a worthless way. One of the Ten Commandments is: “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave the one unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way.”—Jas. 3:15; Ex. 20:7, NW.
Cannot Christians celebrate Christmas out of a pure heart to the honor of Jehovah God? God himself answers through his Word: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing,’ ‘and I will take you in.’ ‘And I shall be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah the Almighty.” So it is a choice of accepting Christmas with its spirit and losing God, or accepting God and receiving his spirit and favor and losing Christmas. The right choice should not be hard to make.—2 Cor. 6:14-18, NW.
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